In the week leading up to Christmas, robberies appear to be on the rise in Selma, including the theft of one family’s Christmas gifts and one shooting.

The wave of robberies, Selma Police Department Sgt. Doug Stewart said, began last Saturday when a 24-year-old male stated as he was sitting in his vehicle when two male subjects approached him.

“The victim stated he exited his vehicle to see what they wanted when one of the subjects pointed a handgun at him and demanded money,” Stewart said. “The victim stated he fled the scene for his safety when the offender shot at him.”

After following leads from the incident, the department arrested Tremaine Walters, 20, of Selma and Arzie Davis III, 21, of Selma.

Both were charged with robbery first degree and held under $60,000 bond each.

Sunday, Stewart said, a resident in the 30 block of Ramsey place said someone entered her home by kicking open the door while she was gone.

“They removed several items including Christmas gifts for her children,” Stewart said.

The department is still exploring leads and the case remains under investigation.

A Wednesday incident led to gunshots, Stewart said.

The victim, a 26-year-old male, said he was walking to a relative’s house when he was stopped.

“The victim stated he didn’t know what the offender was talking about the offender pulled out a handgun and shot him in the left arm,” Stewart said.

“The victim was taken to the hospital by a private vehicle for treatment.”